Pin assembly for towels, sheets, linen, and other items for display

ABSTRACT

A switching fabric securing system and method is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a fabric rod; at least one piece of fabric draped over the fabric rod; and a pin assembly for securing at least one piece of fabric to the fabric rod. In another embodiment, the method includes draping at least one piece of fabric over a rod; and inserting at least one pin assembly through at least one piece of fabric to secure the at least one piece of fabric to the rod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the hanging, using, and/or displaying of fabric. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method which utilize at least one pin and rack assembly to secure the fabric to a fabric support rod.

2. Description of the Related Art

Over the years, numerous arrangements and devices have been employed for supporting a towel, tapestry, curtains, tapestry, and various other fabric. For example, some arrangements have included merely draping a towel over a rod. However, one drawback to this type of arrangement is that the towel must be balanced on the rod so that the towel (or other fabric) does not fall off of the rod.

Other arrangements have included one or more loops joined to a towel edge for fitting over an appropriate hook. In these arrangements, holes or openings are formed in a towel (or other fabric) to fit a hook through; such holes have been formed such that the towel (or other fabric) hangs at an angle from the hook. Further, when an attempt is made to center the fabric on the hook, the fabric often does not drape in a substantially normal preferred orientation. Another arrangement, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,144 of Ricci, arranges an opening or slot on the bias across the towel weave, setting that slot back a minimum distance from the towel edges at a corner.

Pin and rack assemblies are typically used in tie tacks and ear rings. When used as a tie tack, an attached pin and a clutch mechanism secure the pin to a tie and shirt. A similar arrangement is sometimes used to attach earrings through pierced ears. The clutch mechanism is simply a gripper portion with either a spring or some other device to frictionally grasp the pin in a removable fashion. U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,044 of Chernow describes a gripper with a resilient plastic resin or rubber as an alternative to a spring mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to using a pin and clutch assembly in conjunction with a rod to hanging, using, and/or display of fabric. In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, the present invention uses a much enlarged version of a jewelry pin with a decorative front portion, long attached pin, and a suitably enlarged clutch mechanism. A fabric item draped over a fabric support rod is secured to the rod by using one or more of the removable pin assemblies with the pin portion driven through both front and back surface of the fabric. In this way, low friction fabric items need not be draped carefully over a rod in such a way as to balance the weight of the front and back portions to resist slipping from the rod. Several applications for this method are described below.

For example, a single pin assembly can be used to discourage removability of a hand towel from a towel rod while permitting its use. Illustratively, when small children use the towel, it can be adjusted longer on the front surface to make it easier to reach without danger of slipping off the towel rod (if it is retained by at least one pin assembly). Another use is to display flags or tapestries on the wall of a home or public place by simply draping the fabric over a rod and retaining it near a top edge with two or more decorative pin assemblies. The display can be easily changed periodically. This arrangement can be used as well in a carpet store to display carpet samples. In a bed and bath shop, coordinated sets of comforter, sheets and pillow cases can be attractively folded and draped over a rod for vertical display. The items are adjusted for aesthetic appeal and locked in place with a number of pin assemblies. This type of display permits customers to examine the texture of each item without disturbing the displayed items. Additionally, the visible front portion of the pin assembly can display the logo or name of the manufacturer in a prominent fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art pin assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side view of prior art pin assembly with clutch mechanism in cross-section;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of an embodiment of a pin assembly for use in conjunction with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of a decorative front portion of a pin assembly for use in conjunction with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single pin assembly used to secure a hand towel to a towel rod;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention to display a flag or tapestry on a wall; and,

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a coordinated display of multiple fabrics draped over a rod using pin assemblies.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art pin assembly. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a prior art pin assembly 1 with a decorative pearl 2 attached to pin 3 with a clutch mechanism 4 slideably mounted on pin 3. The clutch mechanism 4 includes a housing 6 having a first or gripper end 10 which is substantially covered or enclosed, and which forms an integral part of the housing 6, and a second or abutment end 8 which is open. The housing also includes a longitudinal bore 12. The pin 3 is inserted into the housing 6 via the longitudinal bore 12, first through the abutment end 8 towards the gripper end 10. In addition, the pin 3 extends beyond the clutch mechanism 4 (i.e., beyond the gripper end 10).

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the prior art pin assembly 1 depicted in FIG. 1. For brevity, those elements already described with respect to FIG. 1 which are shown in FIG. 2 will not be repeated. In addition, to the elements described in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 also depicts the clutch mechanism 4 having a resilient plastic or rubber material 5 rather than a typical spring gripper.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of an embodiment of a pin assembly 10 for use in conjunction with the invention. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows the pin assembly 10 of this invention having a pin 12, a decorative front portion 11, and clutch mechanism 14. The decorative front portion 11 is attached to a distal end 14 of the pin 12. The proximal end (not shown) of the pin 12 is inserted into a bore (not shown) within clutch mechanism 14. The clutch mechanism 14 has a closed end 16. The decorative front end 11 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin 12. Because the pin assembly 10 may be used to secure various types of fabric to a support rod (not shown), the length of the pin 12 will vary depending upon the fabric that the pin assembly 12 is intended to secure to the support rod. Thus, pin 12 is relatively long so as not to distort fabric (while in use) which may be draped over a reasonably large diameter support rod. The proximal end of pin 12 is fairly sharp to easily penetrate fabrics. Clutch mechanism 14 is of the design which denies through penetration of pin 12 so as to protect the user from the sharpened proximal end 12.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of a decorative front portion 11 of the pin assembly 10 for use in conjunction with the invention. Specifically, FIG. 4 is a front view of the decorative portion 11 having a dimension D. Dimension D varies in size depending on the fabric that the pin assembly 10 is intended to secure to the support rod. Illustratively, dimension D is typically equal to or larger than one inch (several centimeters).

FIG. 5 shows the use of a single pin assembly 10 used to deny easily removal of a hand towel 17 from fabric support rod 16. The hand towel 17 when draped over the fabric support rod 16 has a front portion 18 and a rear portion 20. Only the front decorative portion 11 of the pin assembly 10 is visible while the pin assembly 10 is in use. The pin assembly 10 shown is FIG. 5 operates as described with respect to FIG. 4 and for brevity is not repeated.

The pin assembly 10 may be removed to allow a user to adjust the towel 17 or to reverse the towel 17 so that the rear portion 20 is exposed to the user and the front portion 18 is behind the rear portion 20 (i.e., away from the user's view). Thus, towel 17 can be adjusted with a longer front portion 18, if desired, since pin assembly 10 prevents the towel 17 from sliding off the towel rod 16.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention to display a flag or tapestry on a wall. Specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates the use of two pin assemblies 10 to retain a fabric (illustratively a flag or tapestry) 21 on fabric support rod 20 which is attached to wall 22. Each of the pin assemblies 10 is inserted into the flag or tapestry 21 substantially parallel to each other. However, it is appreciated that each of the pin assemblies 10 need not be positioned substantially parallel to each other. The pin assemblies 10 operate as described above with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. For brevity the operation of pin assemblies 10 is not repeated.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a coordinated display of multiple fabrics draped over a fabric support rod using multiple pin assemblies 10. Specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates the use of three pin assemblies 10 in a store display 25 showing a vertical display of a coordinated bedding set on rod 26. The arrangement illustratively shows folded pillow case 29, sheet 28, and comforter 27 being displayed together. In various embodiments, a manufacturer's logo 30 is emblazoned on the surface of front portion 11 of each pin assembly 10. The pin assemblies 10 operate as described with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. For brevity, that description is incorporated by reference into the description of FIG. 7.

In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate various embodiments of the invention. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. Thus, while the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

1. A fabric securing system comprising in combination: a fabric support rod; at least one piece of fabric draped over the fabric rod; and a pin assembly for securing said at least one piece of fabric to said fabric support rod.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one other pin assembly for securing said at least one piece of fabric to said fabric rod.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said pin assembly comprises: a pin wherein said pin has a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end; a front end connected to said distal end of said pin, wherein said front end is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; and a clutch mechanism for receiving said proximal end of said pin.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said front end has a logo thereon.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein said front end is decorative.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one piece of fabric is one of a towel, a sheet, a flag, a comforter, a tapestry, a carpet sample and linen.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one piece of fabric is at least one towel.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one piece of fabric has a low friction against said fabric support rod.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said at least one piece of fabric has a front portion and a rear portion; and said pin assembly secures said at least one piece of fabric to said fabric support rod without balancing said front portion with said rear portion on said fabric support rod.
 10. A method for securing fabric to a rod comprising: draping at least one piece of fabric over a support rod; and inserting at least one pin assembly through said at least one piece of fabric to secure said at least one piece of fabric to said rod.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one piece of fabric comprises at least one of a towel, a flag, a tapestry, a sheet, a comforter, a carpet sample and linen.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said draping further comprises: placing said at least one piece of fabric over said support rod such that said at least one piece of fabric has a front portion length that is unequal to a rear portion length.
 13. A fabric securing system comprising: a towel support rod; a towel draped over said towel support rod; and a pin assembly for securing said towel to said towel support rod.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said towel has a low level of friction against said towel support rod.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said draped towel has a front portion length that is unequal to a rear portion length.
 16. The system of claim 13, further comprising at least one other pin assembly for securing said towel to said towel support rod.
 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least one other towel draped over said towel support rod. 